• TABLE OF CONTENTS
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 Opportunities expand and successes...
 Message from the dean
 CALS upper division honors program...
 Get in where you fit in
 Global gators: CALS goes inter...
 Alumni achieve success
 Students, faculty and staff recruit...
 CALS ambassadors build leadership...
 Faculty members earn awards,...
 Students recognized for outstanding...
 CALS yearly events
 Research symposium highlights graduate...
 CALS provides undergraduate research...
 IFAS promotes student research...
 New academic opportunities...






Title: CALS connection
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Title: CALS connection
Series Title: CALS connection
Physical Description: Serial
Creator: College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Florida
Publisher: College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Florida
Publication Date: May 2002
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Subject: University of Florida.   ( lcsh )
Spatial Coverage: North America -- United States of America -- Florida
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Bibliographic ID: UF00076210
Volume ID: VID00002
Source Institution: University of Florida
Holding Location: University of Florida
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Table of Contents
    Opportunities expand and successes grow
        Page 1
    Message from the dean
        Page 2
    CALS upper division honors program going strong and growing daily
        Page 3
    Get in where you fit in
        Page 3
    Global gators: CALS goes international
        Page 4
    Alumni achieve success
        Page 5
    Students, faculty and staff recruit for the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
        Page 6
    CALS ambassadors build leadership skills, host events
        Page 7
    Faculty members earn awards, honors
        Page 8
    Students recognized for outstanding achievement
        Page 9
    CALS yearly events
        Page 10
    Research symposium highlights graduate student research
        Page 11
    CALS provides undergraduate research experience
        Page 12
    IFAS promotes student research and extension opportunities
        Page 12
    New academic opportunities offered
        Page 12
Full Text



















Contents:

2 Dean's Message
Student Profile 2001
Student Reporters Cover CALS News, Events
3 CALS Upper Division Honors Program Going Strong
and Growing Daily
Get In Where You Fit In

4 Global Gators: CALS Goes International


5 Alumni Achieve Success
What's New In Your Life?

6 CALS Mission andValues
Students, Faculty and Staff Recruit for CALS
Recruiting Makes Strides With Gator Encounter

7 CALS Ambassadors Leading the Way
LEAD 2002

8 Faculty Earn Awards, Honors


9 Students Recognized for Outstanding Achievement


10 CALSYearly Events


12 CALS Provides Undergraduate Research
Experience
New Academic Opportunities Offered
IFAS Promotes Student Research and Extension
Opportunities




CALS Administration and
Staff
Dean
Jimmy G. Cheek
Email jgcheek@ufl.edu
352-392-1961
Associate Dean
E. Jane Luzar
Email ejluzar@ufl.edu
352-392-2251
Student and Alumni Services
Paul Willis, director
Email pwillis@ufl.edu
352-392-1963
Student Recruitment and Retention
Emily Sperling, director
Email sperling@ufl.edu
352-392-2251
Computer Support and Graphic/Web Design
Sherry Hays, computer support analyst
Email slhays@mail.ifas.ufl.edu
352-846-1168


Volume 2, May 2002

Opportunities Expand and Successes Grow

As this academic year comes to a close, it's the perfect time to reflect on the college's accomplish-
ments in 2001-2002 and to share our achievements with you.
Since you last heard from us in the inaugural edition of this newsletter in 2001, we've been
working hard to provide new opportunities for everyone affiliated with the College of Agricultural
and Life Sciences our faculty, staff, alumni and, most important, our students. Offering them
hands-on experience, from participating in undergraduate research or extension internships to
studying abroad, continues to be one of our primary goals.
Five seniors and one graduate student in the college's agricultural communication program
recently gained practical reporting experience when they wrote stories for CALS Connection.
Peruse Keyatta Shade's article, which focuses on undergraduate internships, then learn about the
important roles student organizations play in the college in a story by Steven Lands. Read on as Kelli
Dunn describes the challenges of recruiting for a college as diverse as ours, and Rebecca Ambrose
sheds light on the responsibilities and leadership opportunities of the CALS Ambassadors program.
Finally, Emily Eubanks covers some events sponsored by the college, including its premier alumni
event, Tailgator, and Aimee Huskey reports on the growth of the IFAS Graduate Research
Symposium.
The students benefited from the opportunity, and we in turn have the chance to enjoy their
fresh perspectives.
Faculty members continue to support these and other hands-on learning activities. In this issue,
Mickie Swisher, the college's globalization coordinator, documents her experience leading a group of
students on an international study tour in Costa Rica. Katie Sieving, the honors coordinator for the
college, discusses the strength and growth of the upper division honors program.
Our faculty are the key to providing the excellent education we offer. Recognition by the United
States Department of Agriculture, the University of Florida and Blue Key attests to the high quality
of teaching and advising found in our college.
Our students also continue to amaze us. In the past year, they increasingly participated in and
conducted leadership programs here at the
University of Florida and across the
country. Their recognition, detailed
throughout this publication, reflect a wide
range of achievements.
One of the most important and
visible measures of success for the college
is the accomplishments of our graduates.
SThree alumni featured in this issue took
"* three different paths to success. Mortimer
H. Neufville is executive vice president of
the National Association of State
Universities and Land-Grant Colleges.

Betsy Gardner owns The Plant Shoppe at
Greenery Square in Gainesville, while
Guillermo Palacios directs the
Agricultural School of El Hogar in
Honduras.
Many alumni have responded to our
request for updated information. We
encourage all alumni to connect with us
by completing the form on page 5.
As you read the second edition of
CALS Connection, we believe you will
share our sense of pride in the college and
in the strength of our students, alumni,
faculty and staff.


cals.ufl.edu
Email ufcals@mail.ifas.ufl.edu


Fax 352-392-8988


,,. UNIVERSITY OF

Is FLORIDA
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences








Message From The Dean
The 2001-2002 academic year has been
another exceptionally productive year for the
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. This
year we had 860 graduate students, a record
number for CALS. Undergraduate enrollment
was approximately 3,000 students. Nationally,
CALS ranks seventh at the undergraduate level
and fifth at the graduate level in student body
size. Nationally, we produced the fifth largest
number of bachelor's degrees, fourth largest
number of master's degrees, and fifth largest
number of doctoral degrees. Our faculty
increased graduate student credit hours taught by
Colg ofgricur almost 10 percent and undergraduate student
credit hours taught by more than 8 percent.
A major strength of CALS is the highly
productive and dedicated faculty and staff who are committed to excellence
in teaching and advising, undergraduate and graduate education, student
diversity, and enhancing the quality of the educational experiences for
students in CALS. Our students continually tell me about the high regard
they have for our faculty and staff. The students praise our teaching and
advising, as well as the rigorous and relevant curricula. They complement
faculty and staff for their commitment to helping them make the transition
from the university to career fields or continuing their education.
Our students are in high demand by business and industry, academia and
government. Many become successful entrepreneurs. I am pleased to report


our students are entering career fields well prepared to meet the demands of
today's increasingly complex job market and changing societal needs. We
have a stellar record placing CALS students into graduate and professional
school. These are among the most meaningful measures of success for our
programs.
The University of Florida will undergo Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools accreditation in 2003. One of the major accrediting
activities will center on student and faculty globalization. Jim Jones,
distinguished professor of agricultural and biological engineering, is leading a
task force to provide a roadmap to more fully involve our students and
faculty in international activities that help us better understand reactions,
consequences and impact locally and globally. Making globalization a focus
of the accreditation process is a clear demonstration that it is a University
priority. We are encouraging our undergraduates to participate in at least
two activities that include study abroad, internships, research with faculty,
volunteer service and leadership development. CALS is participating fully in
this inclusive initiative.
A presidential task force on the future of the university is currently
studying ways to improve and restructure the University of Florida. We
welcome this examination and believe we will emerge a stronger college and
university. As these winds of change blow, CALS remains fully engaged and
committed to vigorously pursuing our agenda of preparing society-ready
graduates. The college is focused intently on further developing truly
excellent educational programs and ever greater leadership and innovation in
the field. I look forward to working with each of ou to advance these
objectives. .


Enrollment Fall 2001


Undergraduate


African Americans
Hispanic Americans
Nalive Americans
Asian Americans
Foreign Nationals
Other


Graduate


African Americans
Hispanic Americans
Nalive Americans
Asian Americans
Foreign Nalionals
Other


Tolal
2,914


Undergradualc
222
272
11
204
49
2.156

Tolal
860

Graduale
26
45
9
20
237
523


Men Women
1.135 1.779


e Percent
7.62
9.33
0.38
7.00
1.68
73.99

Men Women
472 388

Percent
3.02
5.23
1.05
2.33
27.56
60.81


CALS Student Profile 2001


Year 1997-1I4'919 9- 1 CM9- 2iJ I-2(ii' I


SGraduate 1 Undergraduate Total


Degrees Granted in 2001
Undergraduate Degree


Bachelor's


African Americans
Hispanic Americans
Nalive Americans
Asian Americans
Foreign Nalionals
Other


Tolal Men
720 278


Women
442


Bachelor's
46
65
2
50
14
543


Graduate Degree

Masler's
Docloral


African Americans
Hispanic Americans
Nalive Americans
Asian Americans
Foreign Nalionals
Other


Student Reporters Cover CALS News, Events


A new partnership between the College of Agricultural and Life
Sciences and an agricultural communication course has provided students
with real-world experience.
Many of the articles in this edition of CALS Connection were
written by students in AEE 4036: Advanced Agricultural
Communication Writing.
In the fall course, students wrote feature stories for the CALS
newsletter and developed media kits, which included news releases,
brochures, feature stories and news stories for nonprofit organizations
and county fairs. The students, all agricultural communication majors,


also submitted long feature stories to major agricultural magazines for
publication.
The partnership with the CALS newsletter was a natural. It
provided students with another outlet for their writing, and it helped
CALS cover events and feature individual students and alumni that
CALS might not otherwise have been able to do.
Student contributors were Rebecca Ambrose, Kelli Dunn, Emily
Eubanks, Steven Lands and Keyatta Shade. Ricky Telg, associate
professor in the department of agricultural education and
communication, teaches the course.


Men
85
41


Women
67
23


Tolal
152
64

Masler's
7
16
0
3
23
103


PhD
0
2
0
1
35
26


CALS Facts:

C ALS ,.tlu ues ic :'u 'LIt1
t.:.r m (:1re tI-n IS percent :.t
t[ e students e'nr,:,lln i n
UF's. etennr- meicmne,
FSlt *LIcII 'l l 1 1 IS .'lllll II I -

meicn.l ,cin str-" i
ph' i stl ini t-Msst ni-t pr'':gr 'im'is
Iiin t Ill 2001


200) 1-2,l"2







CALS Upper Division Honors

Program Going Strong and

Growing Daily

BY KATIE SIEVING
The College of Agricultural and Life
Sciences realizes that the exceptional focus
required to maintain academic excellence can
often make it difficult to see the connection
between a high G.P.A. and opportunity after
graduation. Participation in the CALS upper
division honors program during a student's
last two to three years as an undergraduate aie ,aoi at
provides students with important links to roillIf il
their future. LShi l.am
CALS honors requirements are flexible,
accommodating students' demanding
schedules while supporting their efforts to achieve. The nine credit hours of
coursework for the program also fulfill requirements in a student's major.
The requirements do not add more work; they enrich their undergraduate
experience in ways that
help students discover
strengths, intellectual
Sa a passions and future
goals, according to
Students.
CALS is the only
Sp college at UF with an
d h organized upper
division honors
program. E. Jane
Luzar, associate dean,
notes that students who
choose to join the
CALS honors program
are those who seek
challenges. Those who
are open to new ways of
thinking, delving deeper
into and beyond their
required coursework and asking questions about where they are headed in
life.
Faculty who make the honors program function in this way are among
the best from UF and beyond. These faculty members are productive,
creative people with extraordinary talent for mentoring young people who
will shape our future, Luzar said.
The core course that all CALS honors students take is ALS 4921 Honors
Colloquium. This course emphasizes critical thinking in the context of a
topic selected by the faculty member who teaches the course, usually a topic
that is in the faculty member's area of expertise. That sparks the students'
interest and generates
impassioned learning,
notes Luzar.
In addition to the

students are entering
into an 'honors contract'
with instructors of their -
regular upper division
courses. Don Graetz,
professor of soil and
water science; Bobbi
Langkamp-Henken,
associate professor of
food science; Gail
Kauwell, associate
professor of food
science; Maurice
Marshall, professor of
food science; Steve Talcott, assistant professor of food science; Millie Ferrer,
associate professor of family, youth, and community sciences; John Reynolds,
professor of food resource and economics; Lisa House, associate professor of
food and resource economics; Rebecca Baldwin, entomology; and Brian
McKnab, zoology, each have from one to five CALS honors students doing
contract work this semester. These experiences deepen the students'
exposure to the course material.
Currently, 131 students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher are enrolled in the
CALS upper division honors program; that's approximately one-third of all
eligible students in CALS.


(3
cU


x Fit In
0 BY STEVEN LANDS
e "Get in where you fit in" could be the
motto for the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
W when it comes to student organizations. The college
offers more than 30 organizations, the most offered by any
L college at the University of Florida. The organizations are the
most offered by any college. Student organizations in the
college are diverse, as well as numerous, including clubs in food
and resource economics, equine sciences, agronomy and soils, and
wildlife.
"CALS offers a club or organization for any aspect of
agriculture, human resources, natural resources and the life
sciences that students might be interested in," said Rick Rudd,
faculty advisor for the Agricultural Education and
Communication Society (AECS).
With all of the opportunities for education in the college, it is
no surprise the faculty of the college are so involved with students
at the University of Florida, said AECS Vice President Erin
Emery. "We do all kinds of things for CALS," Emery said. "We
do advertising for the college at the FFA conventions, and we do
recruiting for the college." The organizations are student-run and
organized by elected officers.
"Student-run organizations are
an important part of undergraduate
studies," Rudd said. "It gives them a
chance to enhance professional
skills and leadership development."
All student organizations are
proactive and committed to the
academic improvement of their
members and betterment in
community service. Working with
4-H chapters and volunteering at
Shands Hospital and the vet school
are some of the activities these clubs
Sy Iw -r offer students.
The wide range of organizations
provides students with the
opportunity to find a club that suits their interest. All the
organizations have websites that can be accessed through the
CALS home
page,
cals.ufl.edu.
Each site
offers a
description of
the club and
gives
information
on how to
%MOPjoin and
whom to
contact if
interested.
&0 A r I CALS student
i mnthccvaTa organizations
visit a cab inWhitehousTe ,backrowfromei travel to
meetings and
M i a elLehmanSethardri m frequently
S r l host meetings.
For example,
the Gator
Forestry Club attended the conclave at Texas A&M, and
Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences
(MIANRRS) hosted a regional leadership workshop this spring at
the University of Florida.


cals.ufl.edu/Honors/CALSHonorsProg.htm







CALS Upper Division Honors

Program Going Strong and

Growing Daily

BY KATIE SIEVING
The College of Agricultural and Life
Sciences realizes that the exceptional focus
required to maintain academic excellence can
often make it difficult to see the connection
between a high G.P.A. and opportunity after
graduation. Participation in the CALS upper
division honors program during a student's
last two to three years as an undergraduate aie ,aoi at
provides students with important links to roillIf il
their future. LShi l.am
CALS honors requirements are flexible,
accommodating students' demanding
schedules while supporting their efforts to achieve. The nine credit hours of
coursework for the program also fulfill requirements in a student's major.
The requirements do not add more work; they enrich their undergraduate
experience in ways that
help students discover
strengths, intellectual
Sa a passions and future
goals, according to
Students.
CALS is the only
Sp college at UF with an
d h organized upper
division honors
program. E. Jane
Luzar, associate dean,
notes that students who
choose to join the
CALS honors program
are those who seek
challenges. Those who
are open to new ways of
thinking, delving deeper
into and beyond their
required coursework and asking questions about where they are headed in
life.
Faculty who make the honors program function in this way are among
the best from UF and beyond. These faculty members are productive,
creative people with extraordinary talent for mentoring young people who
will shape our future, Luzar said.
The core course that all CALS honors students take is ALS 4921 Honors
Colloquium. This course emphasizes critical thinking in the context of a
topic selected by the faculty member who teaches the course, usually a topic
that is in the faculty member's area of expertise. That sparks the students'
interest and generates
impassioned learning,
notes Luzar.
In addition to the

students are entering
into an 'honors contract'
with instructors of their -
regular upper division
courses. Don Graetz,
professor of soil and
water science; Bobbi
Langkamp-Henken,
associate professor of
food science; Gail
Kauwell, associate
professor of food
science; Maurice
Marshall, professor of
food science; Steve Talcott, assistant professor of food science; Millie Ferrer,
associate professor of family, youth, and community sciences; John Reynolds,
professor of food resource and economics; Lisa House, associate professor of
food and resource economics; Rebecca Baldwin, entomology; and Brian
McKnab, zoology, each have from one to five CALS honors students doing
contract work this semester. These experiences deepen the students'
exposure to the course material.
Currently, 131 students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher are enrolled in the
CALS upper division honors program; that's approximately one-third of all
eligible students in CALS.


(3
cU


x Fit In
0 BY STEVEN LANDS
e "Get in where you fit in" could be the
motto for the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
W when it comes to student organizations. The college
offers more than 30 organizations, the most offered by any
L college at the University of Florida. The organizations are the
most offered by any college. Student organizations in the
college are diverse, as well as numerous, including clubs in food
and resource economics, equine sciences, agronomy and soils, and
wildlife.
"CALS offers a club or organization for any aspect of
agriculture, human resources, natural resources and the life
sciences that students might be interested in," said Rick Rudd,
faculty advisor for the Agricultural Education and
Communication Society (AECS).
With all of the opportunities for education in the college, it is
no surprise the faculty of the college are so involved with students
at the University of Florida, said AECS Vice President Erin
Emery. "We do all kinds of things for CALS," Emery said. "We
do advertising for the college at the FFA conventions, and we do
recruiting for the college." The organizations are student-run and
organized by elected officers.
"Student-run organizations are
an important part of undergraduate
studies," Rudd said. "It gives them a
chance to enhance professional
skills and leadership development."
All student organizations are
proactive and committed to the
academic improvement of their
members and betterment in
community service. Working with
4-H chapters and volunteering at
Shands Hospital and the vet school
are some of the activities these clubs
Sy Iw -r offer students.
The wide range of organizations
provides students with the
opportunity to find a club that suits their interest. All the
organizations have websites that can be accessed through the
CALS home
page,
cals.ufl.edu.
Each site
offers a
description of
the club and
gives
information
on how to
%MOPjoin and
whom to
contact if
interested.
&0 A r I CALS student
i mnthccvaTa organizations
visit a cab inWhitehousTe ,backrowfromei travel to
meetings and
M i a elLehmanSethardri m frequently
S r l host meetings.
For example,
the Gator
Forestry Club attended the conclave at Texas A&M, and
Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences
(MIANRRS) hosted a regional leadership workshop this spring at
the University of Florida.


cals.ufl.edu/Honors/CALSHonorsProg.htm







Global Gators: CALS Goes International


;cr Students Gain Knowledge,
1 World View In Russia
BY KEYATTA SHADE
When most University of Florida students
!F leave their dorm rooms during the spring
semester, one challenge they hardly expect to
face is trekking through snow to get to their
classes. But for UF students Noah Handley and
Theresa Lynn Lagasse, snow was virtually an everyday occurrence as they took
part in the Moscow State University Exchange Program in Moscow, Russia.
The program, connected with UF's College of Agricultural and Life
Sciences, is in its second year and proving to be beneficial to students and the
university. "I got a lot of cultural experiences that opened my mind to other
things," Handley said, "not only in school, but in the business world as well."
Lagasse, an agricultural education and communication senior, said the trip,
more than anything, gave her a chance to get to know a different culture. "It
gave me the cultural experience of getting to know the Russian people," Lagasse
said.
Both students
dealt with a number
of challenges when
they first arrived.
Neither spoke A. i
Russian, so a task as
simple as navigating
around town could
be a chore in itself.
"All the signs were,
of course, not in
English," said
Handle, a senior in
agricultural
operations ...
management. "You i

basic words for i
things like entrances
and exits, and at least
be able to recognize
street names."
Likewise, when
the students went into the local community, it was difficult for them to
converse in the marketplace. They had to have a Russian student with them to
translate any interactions that took place in the market. "By the term's end, we
could negotiate by ourselves, anywhere, with the little bit of Russian that we
did have," Lagasse said. Despite this, Lagasse said this wasn't the most
challenging part of the experience for her. "The most challenging part of this
for me, personally, was being a 45-year-old student among 15 20 year olds,"
Lagasse said.
While in Russia, the students also took university courses that lasted a
month at a time and were taught by U.S. professors, who also took the trip to
Moscow.
"We spent as much as 12 hours a week in the classroom to cover a
condensed course load in one month," Lagasse said. Some of the courses
students took included Russian, agricultural structures, agricultural
environmental effects and agricultural communications. "We also produced a
web-based newsletter bi-weekly to keep our friends, family and associates back
home in America informed of what we were doing," Lagasse said. She added
that the students also took a seminar class, where they "went into the
community investigating, studying and being guests of different agricultural
enterprises in and around Moscow. We went to a tremendous greenhouse
facility that covered about six square hectacres of greenhouses."
One of Handley's fondest memories is of the time he spent on one of the
local farms during a trip away from campus. "Land ownership is not a
common right there," Handley said. "These farmers have to deal with greater
challenges than we do in the States."
Penn State University, which runs the program, allows students from five
universities to travel to Moscow and study agriculture.
Nick Place, assistant professor of agricultural education and communication
and facilitator of the program, said the program benefits the university as well.
"By having these types of programs, it really helps us to become more of a
global university," Place said.
He said many employers are looking for students with international
experiences. "These kinds of options and opportunities are helping us to meet
that requirement," Place said. As far as the students are concerned, Place
observed the program "stretches them personally and professionally. It helps to
remove the blinders. It helps them to look at things much differently after they
participate in international programs such as this." Students also have the
opportunity of making lifelong contacts with students from the other four
universities from the United States participating in the program. "Even more
so, they make some really good friends and contacts with the students from
Moscow State University," Place said.
Two more CALS students are participating in the spring 2003 program.
One of those students, UF junior Josh Brown, said the opportunity to learn

cals.ufl.edu/GlobalGators


about another culture fueled his reasons for going. "One thing I've learned
in my intercultural communications class is how to create a better world
view," Brown said. "Hopefully, by being put into a different kind of
culture, it's going to give me a new light on how to view other cultures."

Outstanding International Student Awards


Spring Break Study Group Tours Costa Rica
BY MICKIE SWISHER
Mickie Swisher, student globalization coordinator for the College of
Agricultural and Life Sciences and 11 students participated in the college's
2002 spring break study tour in Costa Rica. This group examined
approaches to development that have been successful in the host nation.
Despite the obvious differences between Florida and Costa Rica, the state
and small Central American nation have much in common. Tourism and
agriculture are key economic activities for both. Like Florida, Costa Rica
depends greatly on international migrant labor for agriculture. Both
Florida and Costa Rica are destinations for many immigrants. The group
wanted to learn about the problems that Costa Rica has faced and the
lessons they have learned about how to achieve sustainable agricultural and
tourism development.
The group visited several sites. At the La Selva Biological Research
Station, owned and operated by the Organization for Tropical Studies, they
learned that conservation has a long history in Costa Rica. The group
visited a local Dole Corporation banana plantation and found that Dole is
taking steps to enhance the sustainability and reduce the environmental
impacts of producing bananas.
A visit to a local health facility showed the group the problems that
occur when international laborers, generally of poorer health and lower
educational status than Costa Ricans, become a large part of the population
in an area.
The next site they visited, a small village called Zeta Trece, is a classic
example of locally based ecotourism. Motivated by the failure of agriculture
to provide adequate income, women in this town have started their own
hotel, restaurant, and butterfly and medicinal herb farm. Tourism is a
natural form to them since the beautiful and active Arenal Volcano is only
a few kilometers away. The group visited Los Termales del Bosque, a
private farm in the area that has combined ecotourism and cattle
production. The group's "research" there included spending time in the hot
springs fueled by the volcano, horseback riding and a canopy tour where
most of them strapped themselves into a harness to swing through the top
of the rain forest.
The group then
returned to San Jose,
Costa Rica's capital,
and made additional
day trips. They
visited local vegetable
and coffee farms in
the highlands, took a
day to go to the
beach and spent the
last day visiting Poas
Volcano, another
active volcano and
Costa Rica's oldest
and most visited
national park.







Alumni Achieve Success


Mortimer H. Neufville


Guillermo Palacios


Mortimer H. Neufville, who
received his bachelor's degree from
Tuskegee University and his
master's and doctoral degrees in
animal sciences from the
University of Florida, was honored
December 15, 2001, with UF's
Distinguished Alumnus award for
his many contributions to the
agricultural sciences. Neufville has
distinguished himself
internationally and among his
peers as a renowned scientist,
outstanding educator and visionary
leader.
Neufville currently serves as
executive vice president of the National Association of State
Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC). NASULGC,
the nation's oldest higher education association comprised of
public universities, land-grant institutions and many of the nation's
public university systems, has been at the forefront of national
education leadership for more than a century. As second-in-
command at NASULGC, Neufville plays a prominent and
effective role in articulating and coordinating the activities of land-
grant and affiliate institutions in the areas of food, agriculture,
natural resources, environmental affairs, human sciences, forestry
and international affairs.
Throughout his career, Neufville has earned an international
reputation for his dedication to quality education, research and
service. Neufville has provided leadership for numerous initiatives
to help institutions garner funding, respectability and recognition.
As an international leader in animal science, Neufville has provided
guidance and counsel to numerous prestigious organizations such
as the American Association for the Advancement of Science and
Education Council, the President's Administrative Council and the
National Higher Education Committee of the Joint Council of
Food and Agriculture.



Betsy Gardner
BY STEVEN LANDS
A white picket fence,
fountains and flowers in bloom,
welcome people like the first day
of spring.
The Plant Shoppe, a florist
and garden center in Greenery
Square, has everything
imaginable for a garden. The
shop has been in Gainesville for
17 years; however, in June 1999,
a new and eager owner wanted
to get her hands dirty. Betsy
Gardner, a native of Homestead, grew up in the horticulture
industry learning from her parents. Although Betsy learned a
tremendous amount about plants, she was not interested in
growing them. "I always liked to help as a child," Gardner said,
"but it was the retail aspect that I was interested in." A willingness
to learn took her to the University of Florida to study
environmental horticulture in the College of Agricultural and Life
Sciences. In 1996, Betsy received her bachelor's degree, and in 1999
she received her master's degree while working for the shop she
now owns.
Growing up around a nursery gave Gardner an edge in plant
knowledge. That is why she spent most of her graduate study in
the food and resource economics department taking marketing and
business classes. "Flowers and plants are great," she said with a
smile, "but, I like counting the money." Before Gardner bought
the shop, she thought some hands-on training after her classes
would be a good idea. So, she worked as an intern for garden
centers at Epcot Center and in Minnesota and Texas. Following
her work at UF, Gardner managed a garden center in Lowe's for
nine months prior to finding her dream shop. "I thought I wanted
to get away and work for someone else for a while," Gardner said.
"After I worked for about nine months, I bought it."
Gardner has started to fulfill a dream that began at the
University of Florida in her junior year. She wants to eventually
own a complex like Greenery Square and have everything for
customers at one place. "I would like to deal with everything and
anything in the gardening business," she said. "I've planned, I've
been prepared, and now I am on my way."


Guillermo Palacios is a man with a
vision and a mission in the Talanga
Valley of Honduras, where he directs
the Agricultural School of El Hogar.
The 1983 University of Florida
College of Agricultural and Life
SIm a Sciences graduate leads a faculty that
h c .- teaches modern agricultural techniques
S, to 40 of the poorest elementary and
Middle school age boys in a desperately
poor Central American nation.
S A program of the Episcopal
Sd t Diocese of Honduras, the school is one
Sof three educational institutions that
form Proyectos El Hogar (El Hogar
Projects), headquartered in the
Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa.
The institution Palacios directs is located on a 270-acre farm where boys learn up-
to-date farming methods that are appropriate for the Honduran economy and
environment. The boys also complete what would be the freshman year in high
school in America.
Reflecting the economic conditions of
Honduras, farms are much smaller than in
North America. Plots of four and five acres are
seen as prosperous. Therefore, it's crucial to
teach young boys how to make the most of
small parcels of land.
Palacios' school got its start in 1991 when
15 boys and three staff members moved to
Talanga with their cows, pigs and goats. They
lived in rented quarters as they built their
school from scratch. The Reverend Leo Frade,
then bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of
Honduras, dedicated the facility in 1993.
Palacios was there from the start, having
joined the El Hogar staff in 1989 as a teacher at
an agricultural school jointly run with the
Roman Catholic church. However, that school
was located on very poor, dry land nearly 100
miles from El Hogar's headquarters.
"The move to Talanga, was very welcome, all of our buildings were constructed
without destroying a single tree, and we try our best to share that environmental
commitment with students" Palacios said.
At both the agricultural school and the technical institute, academic studies
continue alongside vocational education. The academic side of things must never be
lost, according to Lazaro Ramon Juarez, who heads the staff of El Hogar Projects.
While El Hogar began in 1979 as a school for "street boys," the staff now tries to
get to the country's poorest children before they are abandoned. Parents who have
absolutely nothing to offer their children at home see El Hogar as the only chance
their sons will have to achieve success.


What's New In Your Life?
Tell us what is happening! Stay connected to CALS
Through the CALS Connection, we are reaching out to keep you informed about CALS
news and activities. Now it's your turn. We'd like to include current information about
you in an upcoming issue of CALS Connection.

We are interested in awards, jobs, moves and family information. Please note changes in
your address, employment or professional activities that you want to share with your
classmates and colleagues.

Mail your information to: CALS Connection
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
P.O. Box 110270
Gainesville, FL 32611-0270
Email: tnpemble@mail.ifas.ufl.edu
Name:
Address:
Home Phone:
Work Phone: Email:
Is any of the above information new?
Information:


Please let us know if you have any questions or if we may be of help. We welcome your
calls and visits to McCarty Hall.







/JiLion


To provide a high-quality education to
students statewide resulting in society-
ready graduates in the areas of food,
agriculture, natural resources, human
and life sciences.






To meet its requirements to the people of
Florida and to serve its mission, CALS
advances its core values:

Excellence is the standard for all CALS
academic programs.

Through diversity, CALS can ensure
gender, racial and social balance.

As part of a land grant university, CALS
is responsive and accountable to Florida's
citizens.

CALS is globalin its perspective and
develops world-class programs on behalf
of all its students.

CALS accepts responsibility to expand
the public's awareness of its programs
and benefits.



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Students, Faculty and Staff Recruit for

the College of Agricultural and Life

Sciences

BY KELLI DUNN
Recruitment is one key to high enrollment for a
college, and no one knows that better than Emily
Sperling.
Sperling is the director of student recruitment
and retention for the University of Florida's College
of Agricultural and Life Sciences. As director, she
recruits mainly undergraduate students from
community colleges and high schools around Florida
and maintains relationships with community college
and high school advisors, faculty and students.
To build these relationships, Sperling attends
different events around the state, including college
and career fairs at schools, on-campus fairs, various
minority workshops and regional events such as the
it eSunbelt Agricultural Exposition in Moultrie, Ga.
Attending these events and meeting people are
Sperling's favorite parts of her job, she said. "Maintaining relationships with the people involved, the
schools' advisors, faculty and the students themselves is what makes my job worthwhile," Sperling said.
"I also enjoy working with the departments here in our college and the organizations on campus."
Sperling does not work alone to recruit, however. She has plenty of help and relies on partnering
with the undergraduate and student service coordinators of each department to develop recruitment
plans specific to the department's needs.
The CALS Ambassadors are another integral part of the recruitment efforts, she said. As students,
the ambassadors provide a certain insight other students may be interested in. They can give a "real
deal" outlook on being a UF student, Sperling said.
CALS Ambassador Elizabeth Serca agrees with Sperling about the success the ambassadors have in
recruiting prospective students. Current students talking to prospective students about the college can
create a bond that a professor or advisor may not automatically build, she said. "A lot of times, a
faculty member can't answer a question a student may want to ask," Serca said.
While Sperling focuses more on community college recruitment, the ambassadors attend a majority
of the high school college fairs and work the college-sponsored events such as TailGator and Gator
Encounter.
With more than 30 events a year to attend, Sperling is often out of the office. An average day may
take her to any of Florida's 28 community colleges, where she holds information sessions, meets
students and shares information with advisors and faculty.
At these events, Sperling uses several informational brochures to teach students about the university
and, more specifically, the college. Interested students also fill out information cards.
A typical office day for Sperling is just as busy. While in the office, she responds to student
inquiries over the phone or via e-mail. Each of the students who fill out an information card receives a
personal letter from Sperling, thanking them for their interest in the college. She also highlights the
college and department students marked by sending them departmental brochures. These students are
then added to her mailing list to be updated on scholarship and event information and for tracking
purposes.
Sperling keeps track of the students, to determine if the recruiting is working. She is beginning to
see the results of her efforts as her first recruits are enrolling.
Food science and human nutrition major Joy Felton is one of Sperling's recruits. Felton enrolled at
UF as a junior in the college after talking to Sperling. She says Sperling's enthusiasm and attention to
detail about Felton's intended major and future career made her sure UF was the place for her.
"She gave a lot of detail about the college and the department," Felton said. "She also gave me
details about career opportunities after graduation. That, along with her enthusiastic portrayal of the
college, convinced me."
Sperling said she is enthusiastic about the programs because she believes in them. A UF food and
resource economics graduate herself, Sperling said she is happy to bring students to the college. "I am
very comfortable recruiting students into a degree program I graduated from," she said. "It is evident to
the students that I'm not just a traveling salesperson, that I have a stake in it, too."


Recruiting Makes Strides With Gator Encounter
What do a medical doctor, golf course superintendent, forester, social worker and business analyst have in common? Prospective students and their families,
teachers and advisors ascended on the Florida Gymnasium April 6 to learn the answer to that question at
Gator Encounter 2002. More than 400 participants learned that professionals of all types found their paths
to success through the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
Gator Encounter, the college's annual open house, allowed participants to explore programs offered by
CALS through 40 interactive displays and conversations with faculty, staff and students from departments
and student organizations. I
Students like Crystal Wilkerson, a high school student from Orange Park, enjoyed the opportunity to
learn about CALS' top-notch programs. "I finally have some direction and college isn't something I am
dreading anymore," Wilkerson said. Like Wilkerson, many participants enjoyed learning about CALS
through the interactive displays that included hands-on activities involving braiding heather plants, taking
quizzes about the environment, learning about sturgeon and handling alligators.
Emily Sperling, CALS director of student recruitment and retention, felt the event was a great success
because of the efforts of the departments and the quality of their activities. "Participants came to the event
with their curiosity in tow," she said. "Our departments did a fantastic job of satisfying their curiosity and
educating them about exciting academic and career opportunities in agriculture and natural resources."







CALS Ambassadors Build Leadership Skills, Host Events


BY REBECCA AMBROSE
You may have seen them around campus and at special
events at the University of Florida. They sport navy blazers and
khaki pants. They will gladly strike up a conversation about the
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences with anyone willing to
listen. They are the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Ambassadors.
The CALS Ambassadors' objective is to create interest in
and comprehension of the diverse programs, majors and
opportunities in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
Recruitment, alumni relations, special events and leadership
development are ways that the ambassadors work toward this
objective, according to CALS Ambassador program coordinator
Paul Willis.
In 1989 a small group of students in CALS were brought
together to form the first ambassador team, called the Institute
of Food and Agricultural Sciences Ambassadors. Presently the
team has 33 members who were chosen through a rigorous
application and interview process. The process, which consists
of an application and then later, a two-part interview if the
applicant is chosen, determines how well the student can
represent the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
A student desiring to be an ambassador must meet the
minimum academic standards and be willing to fulfill the
responsibilities of the time commitment to the program, Willis
said. "Last year we had roughly 50 applicants," Willis said.
"About 20 of them were selected to be a part of this year's
team."
Sarah Joe Cannon was one of the ambassadors chosen. A
junior majoring in agricultural communication, Cannon first
wanted to become an ambassador when she heard about their
excellent reputation around campus. "The CALS Ambassadors
are a group that I am proud to be a part of," Cannon said. "We
develop camaraderie within the group and focus on developing
our leadership skills.
The ambassadors commit to a one-hour weekly meeting and
participation in an average of four to six hours a month for
events," Willis said.
The CALS Ambassadors host alumni events such as
TailGator, recruiting programs like Gator Encounter, and
leadership development conferences such as the Southern
Regional Ambassador Conference, which was organized entirely
by the UF CALS Ambassador team in April. Cannon
participates in an average of six events per semester with the
ambassadors. "What you get out of being an ambassador
depends entirely on what you put into it," Cannon said.
"In addition to hosting most CALS events, the ambassadors
speak to many groups, including students at high schools or
community colleges to let them know how much CALS has to
offer," Willis said. The ambassadors will be a part of two new
aspects: fundraising for the college and working on a public
relations campaign, Food for Thought.
"The ambassadors will speak to civic organizations
throughout the state about food and natural resources and how
IFAS and the college support that," Willis said. The
ambassadors have also spent time working with lobbyists in the
state legislature and writing postcards to prospective students.


cals.ufl.edu/Ambassadors


LEAD 2002

SU VIORBY AIMEE HUSKEY
The University of Florida College
Sof Agricultural and Life Sciences
Ambassadors hosted the first Southern
Regional Ambassador Conference April 12
13 in Gainesville.
*l4bassafdorC ""We were excited to host it, set the standard for
future conferences and give our students the opportunity to
plan, coordinate and implement a conference," Director Paul Willis said. He said the
conference has been talked about for several years, and UF finally took the initiative and
planned it. Leading to Enhance Ambassador Development, or LEAD, as the conference
has been named, was planned and carried out by the UF CALS Ambassadors.
"The conference was to offer an opportunity to ambassadors in colleges of agriculture
and life sciences to come together, share ideas and engage in leadership development
activities," he said.
CALS Ambassadors Chris Vitelli and Natalie Lamneck served as co-chairs of the
conference, and they developed committees to oversee all the major projects of the event.
"The conference provided the fundamental tools for ambassador teams to excel in the
areas of recruitment, team leadership, delegation and personal accountability," Vitelli
said.
Vitelli said he hopes that every ambassador team found an area that best met their
needs to enhance their mission. "I hope that all the ambassadors in attendance gained a
great appreciation for the opportunity they have to make an impact at their college by
fulfilling the duties they have as an ambassador," he said.
Eighty-five ambassadors from nine schools attended the conference held in the
Touchdown Terrace and at the Holiday Inn.
Some highlights of the conference were a speech by John Lombardi at the closing
banquet and a leadership development session led by Melissa Lester, Willis said.
Ambassadors from the University of Arkansas, University of Georgia, North
Carolina State University, Clemson University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical
University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Abraham Baldwin
Agricultural College, Auburn University and University of Florida participated in
personal development, team leadership, consensus building and delegation activities so
they could become stronger ambassadors, he said. This conference provided ambassadors
the opportunity to identify their responsibilities to fulfill their duties to their respective
colleges.
"We hope
to have more
schools next
year, and we
want to grow
to about 125
participants,"
Willis said.
The 2003
LEAD con-
ference is set
for March at
North
Carolina State
University.







Faculty Members Earn Awards, Honors


William W. Thatcher, professor of animal
sciences, IFAS, is one of five University of
Florida recipients of a "2002 Doctoral
Dissertation Advisor Mentoring Award"
presented by the University of Florida's
Graduate School. Thatcher is recognized for
his outstanding contributions as a doctoral
dissertation advisor and mentor. He currently
mentors four doctoral students and one
master's student. To date, he has trained 16
master students, 23 doctoral students and eight
post-doctorate associates. Many of his students
have received national professional society
awards, as well as outstanding thesis awards at
the University of Florida. Previously,
Thatcher was the recipient of the L.E. Casida
Awards for Excellence in Graduate Training
from the American Society of Animal Science.





Florida Blue Key Leadership Honorary seeks
to recognize individuals who have
demonstrated outstanding service and
dedication to the university. Jim Nation and
Mike Olexa, CALS faculty members, were
recognized by Blue Key as distinguished
faculty in 2001. They were selected for their
distinguished records of excellent teaching and
commitment to students; the recognition of
their abilities, talents and skills by their peers;
records of scholarly achievement through
publication; a sensitivity to and concern for
the development of students; and an overall
commitment to UF.


Mike Olexa, professor of food and resource
economics, received the Food and Agriculture
Sciences Excellence in College and University
Teaching Award in Washington, D.C.
November 11, 2001. The award, sponsored by
the USDA and the National Association of State
Universities and Land-Grant Colleges
(NASULGC), is one of two honors given each
year at the annual meeting of NASULGC. It
includes a $5,000 stipend to be used by the
recipient for improving teaching at his or her
university.


Faculty Honored at the 2001 Convocation

with Faculty Teaching and Advising Awards

Four CALS faculty members were recognized for excellence in teaching and advising at the 2001
Annual CALS Scholarship and Leadership Convocation. Jim Kimbrough, professor of plant
pathology, and Al Wysocki, assistant professor of food and resource economics, were recognized
for their contributions to undergraduate education in CALS. George Fitzpatrick, professor of
environmental horticulture, was selected as Undergraduate Advisor of the Year for his
contributions to advising at the CALS off-campus programs at Homestead and Ft. Lauderdale.
The award for Graduate Teacher/Advisor of the year in CALS was awarded to William
Thatcher, professor of animal sciences.


Ittbunn hk l. ,kL ,Vt ,hr urr,


Welcome to the Celebration 2003 marks the University of Florida's sesquicentennial anniversary. The University of
Florida traces its roots to 1853, the year that public funding was approved to support higher education in Florida. For
150 years that deep commitment to higher education has been at the heart of the University of Florida. In the spirit of
our sesquicentennial celebration we will reflect on the university's past, respect its present and look into its future
through a yearlong series of academic programs, special events, exhibits and commemorative festivities. You are invited
to join in the year's activities honoring the past and shaping the future.







Students Recognized for Outstanding Achievement


Jack L. Fry Graduate Teaching Award

Susan Moyers has been a teaching assistant for
HUN 5246 (Current Issues in Dietary Supplements)
and HUN 2201 (Fundamentals of Nutrition). In
addition to being a teaching assistant, she has
managed to maintain a 4.0 GPA in her graduate
studies.
Moyer's teaching responsibilities have included
graduate and undergraduate courses, as well as the
design and development of a course in nutrition for
the College of Dentistry, design of PowerPoint
presentations and Internet-based learning material.
She pursued an opportunity for additional teaching
experience at the UF College of Dentistry and designed and taught a new
graduate level course DEN 5230, Nutrition and Oral Health.

E.T. York, Jr Award of Merit

Erin Eckhardt is majoring in environmental
horticulture with minors in agricultural
communication and anthropology. Eckhardt is a
sister of Sigma Phi Alpha, a member of the Golden
Key National Honor Society, the Agricultural
............ Education and Communication Society and the
Environmental Horticulture Club. After
graduation, she plans to pursue a career in
/ I agriculture focusing on horticultural sciences.
Eckhardt is also a CALS Ambassador and
would like to educate individuals about the
agriculture industry and promote the opportunities
of higher education. She developed and coordinated a leadership seminar
for the State FFA Conference in 2001, which will now be part of the
annual State FFA meeting. Testament to her academic abilities is the
number of scholarships that Erin has received.


Larry J. Connor Medal of Excellence

Aisha Cuadras is majoring in food science and
human nutrition with a specialty in dietetics. She is
a member of the honors program in the College of
Agricultural and Life Sciences, as well as Golden
Key National Honor Society.
SAs a University Scholar, Cuadras is conducting a
laboratory research study in which she is
/ I responsible for analyzing blood samples to
quantitate folate concentrations. Her work, usually
carried out by graduate students, illustrates her
ability to excel in a research environment. Her
research findings will be published as a journal article.

Miss University of Florida

In addition to being named Miss University
of Florida, Tiffany LaCross is a pre-med senior
majoring in food science and human nutrition
S' (FSHN). This summer, LaCross completed an
internship with the FSHN department researching
the effects of a particular genetic mutation on folic
acid metabolism in young women.
She is currently the new member coordinator
for Alpha Delta Pi sorority, associate coordinator
of divisions for Florida Blue Key, associate
coordinator of the Emerging Conference and the
homecoming historian. She is a member of Florida Blue Key, Savant UF
and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Since coming to UF, LaCross has served as the director of the Miss
University of Florida and Miss Florida Gator Scholarship Pageant, the
Homecoming 2000 Administrative Assistant, service assistant director and
Rho Chi for the Panhellenic Council, member of the university
curriculum committee, a director for the
Emerging Leaders Conference, 150th
anniversary chairman for Alpha Delta Pi
and a student senator.
LaCross enjoys volunteering with the
Ronald McDonald House, Girl's Club,
March of Dimes and in various departments
of Shands Hospital. She is a Robert C. Byrd
Honors Scholar and a Kiwanis Scholar, and
was recently named to Who's Who Among ,
Students in American Universities and
Colleges. Next year LaCross hopes to
attend medical school.


Dean's Leadership Award

Natalie Lamneck is majoring in animal science
with a specialization in poultry science in the
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. She will
be attending vet school in the fall. Lamneck has
been a CALS Ambassador since fall 1999.
Lamneck is past president of the Block and

Bridle Club and also is involved in the Poultry
Science Club, Alpha Zeta, Phi Theta Kappa Honor
Society and Golden Key Honor Society. She is a
former member of 4-H and a recipient of the
American FFA Degree. Lamneck has been the
recipient of several scholastic awards including the
Doyle Conner Scholarship and the University of Florida Presidential
Recognition Award.

J. Wayne Reitz Medal of Excellence

Kelly Marie Clayton is majoring in food
science and human nutrition with a specialization
in dietetics. She is a member of Alpha Zeta,
Golden Key Honor Society and the National
Honor Society of Collegiate Scholars. After
graduation, she plans to pursue a career in
medicine. With that goal in mind, she has done
volunteer work in several medical facilities,
including the Diabetes Clinic, the Pediatric
Endocrine Clinics, the Emergency Room and the Operating Room at
Shands Hospital in Gainesville.
Clayton has been on the CALS Dean's List and the President's Honor
Roll and has received the Anderson Scholar Certificate of Highest
Distinction. She also participates in the CALS upper division honors
program.



FFA Southern Region Vice President

Barrett Keene is majoring in agricultural
education with minors in agricultural
communications and agricultural law. Keene served
as the 1999-2000 State FFA President. His
involvement on campus has included Fellowship of
Christian Athletes, Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity,
the Agricultural Education and Communication
Society, and Student Senate. Keene plans to pursue a
career in agriculture education.
He also serves as the FFA southern region vice
president.


Outstanding Female Leader

Jenny Lee Hayes is majoring in
Environmental horticulture, and is
recognized for her tireless commitment
to improving the quality and safety of
her collegiate community.
Upon graduation Hayes will be
recognized by the university as one of
the seven Outstanding Leadership
Award recipients.
Hayes' vision and determination
ensured her success in several campus
organizations. In Student Government
she served as senator, director of the
Health Cabinet, and later as chief of
staff. She was appointed the
Panhellenic Council's Alcohol
Education assistant director, helped create Homecoming's Soulfest and
served in several leadership positions in her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi. She
was appointed to the Campus HIV Education and Policy Committee,
Student Health Advisory Board, and served as chair of the Health Service
Fee Committee. Through service to these committees, Hayes helped
design the "Sloppy Gator" anti-drinking campaign and "Necessities for
Living," a campaign to educate the Gainesville community about the HIV
virus.
She has professional experience with IFAS' Governmental Affairs
Office and the U.S. House of Representatives, where she concentrated on
agricultural legislation. She has volunteered for the Students with
Disabilities Office, Mentor/Mentee Program, Ronald McDonald House,
the Gainesville City Tree Pruning project, and participated in Dance
Marathon.
Hayes was also runner-up for Miss University of Florida for 2001.







Yev


Tailgator Changes for the

New Century
BY EMILY EUBANKS
TailGator sported a new look and location for 2001. To keep up
with the times, the fifth annual College of Agricultural and Life
Sciences TailGator had a few changes. On Saturday, September 29,
2001 more than 1,200 alumni, faculty and students attended
TailGator before the University of Florida-Mississippi State football
game. "TailGator provides an opportunity for alumni and friends to
return to campus for a great time of fun and fellowship while being
able to visit departmental displays and visit with current faculty, staff
and students" said CALS Alumni and Friends Director Paul Willis.
TailGator moved
to the Stephen C.
O'Connell Center
from the J. Wayne
Reitz Union lawn
this year. CALS
Associate Dean E.
Jane Luzar said
TailGator
participants liked the E
move since it was so
much cooler indoors.
Luzar also said
alumni thought the
displays were easier to see this year than in the past. "The use of a
new facility shows the evolution of TailGator over the past several
years," Luzar said. CALS Alumni and Friends President Kevin
Huesman also thought the O'Connell Center was the best place to
have TailGator.
In the past, TailGator has been exclusively for CALS alumni.
Students have had a separate barbecue. This year, the two events
were combined to provide more interaction among students, faculty
and alumni. "We thought having the students networking with the
alumni and friends would be fun for the alumni and may open new
doors for the students," Willis said.
Luzar said TailGator provided alumni with exposure to new
majors and clubs. It also linked the generations between alumni and
students. "Having the chance to interact and network with alumni
was a great opportunity for me," said CALS ambassador Marshall
Baker. "With this being my first TailGator, I was surprised to see
how many people attended and how the alumni were really
interested in me."
CALS Dean Jimmy Cheek was impressed with how many people
attended this year. When TailGator began five years ago, it was held
behind McCarty Hall, with only about 600 people attending, he said.
"TailGator was a tremendous success and being able to fill the
O'Connell Center went far above our expectations," Cheek said.
"Expanding the event from 600 people to 1,200 people is
phenomenal."
Also new this year
was a live auction. Items
auctioned off included a
football signed by UF
football coach Steve
Spurrier, a signed Billy
Donovan basketball, a
golf outing with Cheek
and Institute of Food and
ales ta show e Agricultural Sciences Vice
President Mike Martin, a
weekend beach trip and
two tickets to the Florida-Florida State football game. The auction
brought in $1,400 and proceeds from the auction benefited
scholarships for CALS students. "For our first attempt, we were
pleased with the auction," Willis said.
Willis said the O'Connell
Center will be the venue for
TailGator for the immediate
future. "Tentative plans for
next year are already being
made and are exciting," Willis
said. "While we aren't
prepared to disclose details,
these plans call for some
changes that should enhance
TailGator and get even more
people involved."


CALS Holds Teaching Enhancement

Symposium


The second annual Teaching
Enhancement Symposium was held
August 16, 2001 at the UF Hotel and
Conference Center in Gainesville.
The College of Agricultural and Life
Sciences continued its commitment
to teaching excellence and
improvement by offering sessions on
many areas of interest to CALS
faculty.
Sessions included topics such as
"Teaching Students to Reason:
Critical Thinking Within the
Discipline" and "Education in a
Multi-cultural Environment." All
who attended appreciated the variety
and depth of the sessions as they
discovered new tools and ideas to
enhance their teaching and student
relations.
This annual event helps CALS to
continue to realize its goals and
commitment to excellence in
teaching.


CALS Career Day is a Success


The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences held its annual Agriculture
and Natural Resources Career Day February 13, 2002. The career fair gives
employers the opportunity to showcase their products and services. Employers
personally met with approximately 500 students in several fields including the
sciences, economics, education, business, engineering, communication, natural
resources and production.
Gabriele Klausen, president of the Indian River Agriculture Club, said
"CALS Career Day provided me with an excellent opportunity to interact with
industry representatives and initiate my job search. Whether you are planning
to graduate in the near future or just get some ideas about future prospects,
Career Day is a great investment."
JobHog.net was a special sponsor for the 2002 CALS Career Day.
Jobhog.net posts jobs for a variety of companies with the agriculture and
natural science industries.












Research Symposium Highlights Graduate Student Research


BY AIMEE HUSKEY
The second annual IFAS graduate research symposium was a great way
to highlight research, according to the CALS Associate Dean E. Jane
Luzar. "The symposium allows two students from each department to
present their research to students and professors from other departments,
while other students create posters detailing their research," Luzar said.
"Next year we would like to expand the poster section and have more
students involved."
Paul Willis, student and alumni services director, said the symposium
enables graduate students to learn how to present their research to other
people. "The symposium allows us to showcase graduate students' research
to faculty and other students, and give graduate students an opportunity to
learn what peers are doing," he said.
Observing other students' presentations exposes graduate students to
some of the skills needed to present their research outside of their
discipline, said Jim Dyer agricultural education and communications
assistant professor. "I definitely would want my students to present
because it's a forum for their research."
Graduate students are able to see how others present and communicate
to the public and these skills are important for future presentations, said
food science and human nutrition doctoral student Amy Mackey. "The
symposium is a great way to prepare yourself for national meetings outside
of the university," she said. Mackey presented work from her doctoral
project and said the symposium offers exposure to let everyone see what
her department is doing.
"We saw today that a lot of
technology is cross-
disciplinary," Mackey said.
The symposium also creates
new ideas and prospects for
joint research projects, said
l ,doctoral student Waldir
X Fernandes. He attended
Aaron Hert's presentation
about a bacterium that
adversely affects tomato
J.,i M ef se a huma plants and is related to
bacterium that causes citrus
li canker. Fernandes said he
M ri wondered if joint research
had been done. "Citrus


canker is a disease of high
impact in both Florida and
Sao Paulo, Brazil, the two
major citrus producing regions
of the world," he said.
Fernandes is a citizen of Brazil
and has been working with I
citrus since 1987. Hert and
Fernandes exchanged e-mail
addresses so Hert could get in
touch with Brazilian .
researchers for prospective
joint projects in their research M
area. e
Luzar said she would like el
to expand professional
development for graduate
students in future symposiums and is looking for suggestions on the
symposium evaluations. Luzar and Willis agree there will be more time for
students to explain their posters at the next symposium.
IFAS outstanding thesis and dissertation awards were also presented at
the symposium. The Outstanding Thesis Award entitled "Canine Termite
Detection" was presented to Shawn Brooks and the Outstanding
Dissertation entitled "ADP-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase Activity From
Maize-Potato Mosaics" was
awarded to Joanna Cross.
Phil Koehler, professor of
entomology and
nematology, advised
Brooks; Curt Hannah,
professor of horticultural
sciences, advised Cross.


More Than 400 Attend CALS Student Barbecue



The annual CALS Student barbecue shows appreciation to all College of Agricultural and
Life Sciences students and recognizes graduating seniors. This year's barbecue was a
tremendous success with more than 400 students and faculty attending.
Departments and student organizations within the college put up displays and booths
which allow students convenient access to departments and information about changing their
major, adding a minor or joining a student organization.
Albert and Alberta made an appearance. Each graduating senior received a small gift.
The evening's program included "Pie the Professor" sponsored by
Alpha Zeta and a karaoke contest. The winners of the karaoke
contest were members of the the CALS Ambassadors. The
~sc:,, ,g -~s 1 el- i ci:se et-c eIII tle clubs who participated. The
stuLLI.l [ L.. IlcuCLIci .- 1. id.'elS c cat opportunity for students to
11 eet ,t l-t l tdel-tts m ,101 ICUlt-I








CALS Provides Undergraduate Research Experience


BY KEYATTA SHADE
Selected undergraduate students in the College of
Agricultural and Life Sciences are getting a head start
conducting research in the University Scholars Program.
Research is normally associated with graduate programs.
Aisha Cuadras, a senior in the department of food science
and human nutrition, is one of the students getting early
research experience. "It's a wonderful way to do
undergraduate research," Cuadras said. "It's something that
helps anybody, regardless of career goals."
The program allows students to work one on one with
UF faculty on selected research projects. The college is one
of 15 that make up the program. Currently, CALS has 19
university scholars and academic mentors participating in
research projects during the 2001-2002 academic year. Josiah
Raymer, a senior in the environmental horticulture
department, said the program has given him the opportunity
to get hands-on experience while working in a lab. "It's also
given me the opportunity to work closely with professors,"
Raymer said, "so it's been really educational."
Before students can begin the program, they work with a
faculty mentor to write a proposal explaining the objectives
for their research project. After submitting the proposal,
students are selected for the program through a competitive



Design, Editing, and Photography
Sherry Hays, Computer Support Analyst, CALS
Eric Zamora, IFAS Communication Services

Contributors
Jimmy G. Cheek, dean, CALS
E. Jane Luzar, associate dean, CALS
Rebecca Ambrose
Kelli Dunn
Emily Eubanks
Aimee Huskey
Steven Lands
Keyatta Shade
Katie Sieving, associate professor, 1 11. I and conservation
Emily Sperling, director, student recruitment, CALS
Mickie Swisher, associate professor, family, youth and community
sciences
Ricky Telg, associate professor, agricultural education and
communication
Paul Willis, director, student and alumni services, CALS


process. E. Jane Luzar, CALS associate dean, said the
program is important because many undergraduates do
not get the opportunity to do lab work until they are in
graduate school. "It's the hallmark of an outstanding
university to say that our undergraduates, not only our
graduate students, have had an opportunity to experience
a research endeavor," Luzar said.
Upon completion of the research, students are
expected to publish a 2,000-word paper in the Journal of
Undergraduate Research. Students then must present
their results at the University Scholars Symposium.
Students interested in applying for the program should
contact the dean's office in the College of Agricultural
and Life Sciences.



IFAS Promotes Student

Research and Extension

Opportunities

For the third summer, CALS students have an
opportunity to conduct research or participate in an
extension program with IFAS faculty. The
Experiment Station (the research program of IFAS)
and the Cooperative Extension Service (the outreach
component of IFAS) have teamed up to provide
more than 40 paid summer internships for CALS
students. Students are matched with IFAS faculty
mentors according to mutual research or extension
interests and location. Once matched with faculty
mentors, this unique program offers CALS students
statewide opportunities to step beyond the
classroom and gain hands-on experience. CALS
students take advantage of the state-wide IFAS
system of Research and Education Centers and 67
county extension offices, often allowing students to
live at home during the internship experience.



Puttin Florida FIRST
Focusing IAS Resources on Solufions for Lmorrow


New Academic Opportunities Offered


CALS continues to offer students new academic opportunities
on and off-campus. CALS opened a new off-campus academic
program in 2001 in partnership with Hillborough Community
College at its Plant City campus. This new program offers
students with an associate of arts degree the opportunity to pursue
selected UF degree specializations and minors through CALS,
including the new interdisciplinary studies major landscape and
nursery management. Students at Plant City can also pursue a
minor in management and sales through the food and resource
economics department.
In April 2002, CALS also opened the long-awaited teaching
wing for the off-campus program at the Indian River Research and
Education Center at Ft. Pierce. The 20,000-square-foot teaching
facility addition complements the existing O.C. Minton Hall,
citrus research groves, vegetable research fields and other support
facilities. The addition, which includes an adjacent two-acre
teaching garden, features state-of-the-art distance education
facilities, lecture rooms and auditorium for courses, seminars and
meetings. The addition has five classrooms, two laboratories, a
computer laboratory, a library, greenhouses and office space for
faculty and staff.
On-campus students can expand their academic horizons by
participating in one of the three new minors developed by CALS
this year. The minor in precision agriculture, offered through the
department of agricultural and biological engineering, exposes
students to the principles and application of technologies used in
modern precision farming. Classes in geospatial technologies,


precision agriculture, geographic information systems and
crop management are included in the minor.
The new minor in environmental horticulture includes
courses on plant identification, propagation and
management. Flexibility in the choice of electives allows
students to sample courses from all areas of environmental
horticulture or focus on an environmental horticulture
specialization.
Turfgrass science, the third new minor in CALS, is
designed to provide students with a basic understanding of
turfgrass culture as well as a knowledge of the turfgrass
industry. Courses in this minor include golf and sports turf
management, turfgrass culture, landscape and turfgrass
management,
and botany.
Electives in
the areas of
plant
diseases,
weed science
and soils
provide a
well-rounded
minor for
t -,- *_ *i ,,,, ,*.*UF students.


"... UNIVERSITY OF

I" "FLORIDA


NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
GAINESVILLE FL
PERMIT NO. 94


Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
P.O. Box 110270
Gainesville, Florida 32611-0270


The University of Florida is an equal opportunity, affirmative-action institution committed to cultural diversity This publication is available by accessing the CALS website
at cals.ufl.edu.








CALS Provides Undergraduate Research Experience


BY KEYATTA SHADE
Selected undergraduate students in the College of
Agricultural and Life Sciences are getting a head start
conducting research in the University Scholars Program.
Research is normally associated with graduate programs.
Aisha Cuadras, a senior in the department of food science
and human nutrition, is one of the students getting early
research experience. "It's a wonderful way to do
undergraduate research," Cuadras said. "It's something that
helps anybody, regardless of career goals."
The program allows students to work one on one with
UF faculty on selected research projects. The college is one
of 15 that make up the program. Currently, CALS has 19
university scholars and academic mentors participating in
research projects during the 2001-2002 academic year. Josiah
Raymer, a senior in the environmental horticulture
department, said the program has given him the opportunity
to get hands-on experience while working in a lab. "It's also
given me the opportunity to work closely with professors,"
Raymer said, "so it's been really educational."
Before students can begin the program, they work with a
faculty mentor to write a proposal explaining the objectives
for their research project. After submitting the proposal,
students are selected for the program through a competitive



Design, Editing, and Photography
Sherry Hays, Computer Support Analyst, CALS
Eric Zamora, IFAS Communication Services

Contributors
Jimmy G. Cheek, dean, CALS
E. Jane Luzar, associate dean, CALS
Rebecca Ambrose
Kelli Dunn
Emily Eubanks
Aimee Huskey
Steven Lands
Keyatta Shade
Katie Sieving, associate professor, 1 11. I and conservation
Emily Sperling, director, student recruitment, CALS
Mickie Swisher, associate professor, family, youth and community
sciences
Ricky Telg, associate professor, agricultural education and
communication
Paul Willis, director, student and alumni services, CALS


process. E. Jane Luzar, CALS associate dean, said the
program is important because many undergraduates do
not get the opportunity to do lab work until they are in
graduate school. "It's the hallmark of an outstanding
university to say that our undergraduates, not only our
graduate students, have had an opportunity to experience
a research endeavor," Luzar said.
Upon completion of the research, students are
expected to publish a 2,000-word paper in the Journal of
Undergraduate Research. Students then must present
their results at the University Scholars Symposium.
Students interested in applying for the program should
contact the dean's office in the College of Agricultural
and Life Sciences.



IFAS Promotes Student

Research and Extension

Opportunities

For the third summer, CALS students have an
opportunity to conduct research or participate in an
extension program with IFAS faculty. The
Experiment Station (the research program of IFAS)
and the Cooperative Extension Service (the outreach
component of IFAS) have teamed up to provide
more than 40 paid summer internships for CALS
students. Students are matched with IFAS faculty
mentors according to mutual research or extension
interests and location. Once matched with faculty
mentors, this unique program offers CALS students
statewide opportunities to step beyond the
classroom and gain hands-on experience. CALS
students take advantage of the state-wide IFAS
system of Research and Education Centers and 67
county extension offices, often allowing students to
live at home during the internship experience.



Puttin Florida FIRST
Focusing IAS Resources on Solufions for Lmorrow


New Academic Opportunities Offered


CALS continues to offer students new academic opportunities
on and off-campus. CALS opened a new off-campus academic
program in 2001 in partnership with Hillborough Community
College at its Plant City campus. This new program offers
students with an associate of arts degree the opportunity to pursue
selected UF degree specializations and minors through CALS,
including the new interdisciplinary studies major landscape and
nursery management. Students at Plant City can also pursue a
minor in management and sales through the food and resource
economics department.
In April 2002, CALS also opened the long-awaited teaching
wing for the off-campus program at the Indian River Research and
Education Center at Ft. Pierce. The 20,000-square-foot teaching
facility addition complements the existing O.C. Minton Hall,
citrus research groves, vegetable research fields and other support
facilities. The addition, which includes an adjacent two-acre
teaching garden, features state-of-the-art distance education
facilities, lecture rooms and auditorium for courses, seminars and
meetings. The addition has five classrooms, two laboratories, a
computer laboratory, a library, greenhouses and office space for
faculty and staff.
On-campus students can expand their academic horizons by
participating in one of the three new minors developed by CALS
this year. The minor in precision agriculture, offered through the
department of agricultural and biological engineering, exposes
students to the principles and application of technologies used in
modern precision farming. Classes in geospatial technologies,


precision agriculture, geographic information systems and
crop management are included in the minor.
The new minor in environmental horticulture includes
courses on plant identification, propagation and
management. Flexibility in the choice of electives allows
students to sample courses from all areas of environmental
horticulture or focus on an environmental horticulture
specialization.
Turfgrass science, the third new minor in CALS, is
designed to provide students with a basic understanding of
turfgrass culture as well as a knowledge of the turfgrass
industry. Courses in this minor include golf and sports turf
management, turfgrass culture, landscape and turfgrass
management,
and botany.
Electives in
the areas of
plant
diseases,
weed science
and soils
provide a
well-rounded
minor for
t -,- *_ *i ,,,, ,*.*UF students.


"... UNIVERSITY OF

I" "FLORIDA


NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
GAINESVILLE FL
PERMIT NO. 94


Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
P.O. Box 110270
Gainesville, Florida 32611-0270


The University of Florida is an equal opportunity, affirmative-action institution committed to cultural diversity This publication is available by accessing the CALS website
at cals.ufl.edu.








CALS Provides Undergraduate Research Experience


BY KEYATTA SHADE
Selected undergraduate students in the College of
Agricultural and Life Sciences are getting a head start
conducting research in the University Scholars Program.
Research is normally associated with graduate programs.
Aisha Cuadras, a senior in the department of food science
and human nutrition, is one of the students getting early
research experience. "It's a wonderful way to do
undergraduate research," Cuadras said. "It's something that
helps anybody, regardless of career goals."
The program allows students to work one on one with
UF faculty on selected research projects. The college is one
of 15 that make up the program. Currently, CALS has 19
university scholars and academic mentors participating in
research projects during the 2001-2002 academic year. Josiah
Raymer, a senior in the environmental horticulture
department, said the program has given him the opportunity
to get hands-on experience while working in a lab. "It's also
given me the opportunity to work closely with professors,"
Raymer said, "so it's been really educational."
Before students can begin the program, they work with a
faculty mentor to write a proposal explaining the objectives
for their research project. After submitting the proposal,
students are selected for the program through a competitive



Design, Editing, and Photography
Sherry Hays, Computer Support Analyst, CALS
Eric Zamora, IFAS Communication Services

Contributors
Jimmy G. Cheek, dean, CALS
E. Jane Luzar, associate dean, CALS
Rebecca Ambrose
Kelli Dunn
Emily Eubanks
Aimee Huskey
Steven Lands
Keyatta Shade
Katie Sieving, associate professor, 1 11. I and conservation
Emily Sperling, director, student recruitment, CALS
Mickie Swisher, associate professor, family, youth and community
sciences
Ricky Telg, associate professor, agricultural education and
communication
Paul Willis, director, student and alumni services, CALS


process. E. Jane Luzar, CALS associate dean, said the
program is important because many undergraduates do
not get the opportunity to do lab work until they are in
graduate school. "It's the hallmark of an outstanding
university to say that our undergraduates, not only our
graduate students, have had an opportunity to experience
a research endeavor," Luzar said.
Upon completion of the research, students are
expected to publish a 2,000-word paper in the Journal of
Undergraduate Research. Students then must present
their results at the University Scholars Symposium.
Students interested in applying for the program should
contact the dean's office in the College of Agricultural
and Life Sciences.



IFAS Promotes Student

Research and Extension

Opportunities

For the third summer, CALS students have an
opportunity to conduct research or participate in an
extension program with IFAS faculty. The
Experiment Station (the research program of IFAS)
and the Cooperative Extension Service (the outreach
component of IFAS) have teamed up to provide
more than 40 paid summer internships for CALS
students. Students are matched with IFAS faculty
mentors according to mutual research or extension
interests and location. Once matched with faculty
mentors, this unique program offers CALS students
statewide opportunities to step beyond the
classroom and gain hands-on experience. CALS
students take advantage of the state-wide IFAS
system of Research and Education Centers and 67
county extension offices, often allowing students to
live at home during the internship experience.



Puttin Florida FIRST
Focusing IAS Resources on Solufions for Lmorrow


New Academic Opportunities Offered


CALS continues to offer students new academic opportunities
on and off-campus. CALS opened a new off-campus academic
program in 2001 in partnership with Hillborough Community
College at its Plant City campus. This new program offers
students with an associate of arts degree the opportunity to pursue
selected UF degree specializations and minors through CALS,
including the new interdisciplinary studies major landscape and
nursery management. Students at Plant City can also pursue a
minor in management and sales through the food and resource
economics department.
In April 2002, CALS also opened the long-awaited teaching
wing for the off-campus program at the Indian River Research and
Education Center at Ft. Pierce. The 20,000-square-foot teaching
facility addition complements the existing O.C. Minton Hall,
citrus research groves, vegetable research fields and other support
facilities. The addition, which includes an adjacent two-acre
teaching garden, features state-of-the-art distance education
facilities, lecture rooms and auditorium for courses, seminars and
meetings. The addition has five classrooms, two laboratories, a
computer laboratory, a library, greenhouses and office space for
faculty and staff.
On-campus students can expand their academic horizons by
participating in one of the three new minors developed by CALS
this year. The minor in precision agriculture, offered through the
department of agricultural and biological engineering, exposes
students to the principles and application of technologies used in
modern precision farming. Classes in geospatial technologies,


precision agriculture, geographic information systems and
crop management are included in the minor.
The new minor in environmental horticulture includes
courses on plant identification, propagation and
management. Flexibility in the choice of electives allows
students to sample courses from all areas of environmental
horticulture or focus on an environmental horticulture
specialization.
Turfgrass science, the third new minor in CALS, is
designed to provide students with a basic understanding of
turfgrass culture as well as a knowledge of the turfgrass
industry. Courses in this minor include golf and sports turf
management, turfgrass culture, landscape and turfgrass
management,
and botany.
Electives in
the areas of
plant
diseases,
weed science
and soils
provide a
well-rounded
minor for
t -,- *_ *i ,,,, ,*.*UF students.


"... UNIVERSITY OF

I" "FLORIDA


NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
GAINESVILLE FL
PERMIT NO. 94


Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
P.O. Box 110270
Gainesville, Florida 32611-0270


The University of Florida is an equal opportunity, affirmative-action institution committed to cultural diversity This publication is available by accessing the CALS website
at cals.ufl.edu.




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